Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Co-operation Rania Al-Mashat, and Philippe Delleur, Alstom’s Senior Vice President of External Affairs, discussed in Brussels yesterday means of expanding the company’s investments in Egypt and localising industry, the ministry said in a statement on Sunday.
The meeting took place during the European Union’s Global Gateway Forum.
Al-Mashat underscored the “depth of the long-standing partnership” between Egypt and France, which she said has been pivotal in supporting economic growth and promoting development.
She noted that the recent official visit by French President Emmanuel Macron to Egypt in April 2025 elevated bilateral relations to a strategic partnership, reflected in the signing of several cooperation documents.
The Minister emphasised that strong government-level ties open up broader horizons for French companies to increase their investments and enhance trade with Egypt. She described the cooperation with Alstom as a “long-term strategic partnership” in transportation and infrastructure, including railways, metro development, and industrial localization, particularly highlighting Alstom’s role in modernizing Egypt’s railway network and urban transport systems.
Al-Mashat said the Egyptian government is working to create an attractive investment environment for the private sector, which it views as a key partner in development plans. This is being implemented through the recently launched “National Narrative for Economic Development,” a framework aimed at transitioning to an economic model based on the most productive sectors.
The state is also keen to expand public-private partnership opportunities, especially in areas that support sustainable growth such as green transition, transportation, health, and education, she added.
The statement highlighted Alstom’s central role in implementing the monorail project, one of Egypt’s largest urban transport initiatives and one of the world’s longest monorail networks, which will connect new cities to Greater Cairo. Alstom is also building a major railway industrial complex in Borg El Arab, Alexandria.
In a separate development in October, Al-Mashat announced a joint declaration with France, under which France will provide 4 billion euros ($4.24 billion) in funding to implement priority projects in Egypt. These sectors include human development, sustainable infrastructure, and addressing climate challenges within the national “NWFE” programme platform.
